Box Score ELSAH, Ill. – Tonight the Women's Basketball team hosted the Fontbonne University Griffins in their final home game of the season. Although Principia started the game with some fluid offense, they were unable to get shots to fall, and the scrappy Griffin squad got after all the loose balls which gave them the slight edge 14-8 after the first quarter. In the 2
nd quarter the Panthers finally found some offensive rhythm, led by Principia's starting front court –
Sophia Hathaway and
Kara Johnson. Hathaway started the quarter with back-to-back buckets, quickly followed by a clutch 3-pointer from Johnson. From there the game went back and forth, with Principia tying the game at 20-20 with 5:11 left before the half. Unfortunately, the Griffins then went on a 9-2 run to finish the quarter, giving them a 29-22 lead at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room to start the 3
rd quarter, Principia showed a renewed offensive game plan which allowed them to climb back into the game. The Panthers were lead in large part by sophomore point guard
Tanya Marquardt who game alive in the third, hitting back-to-back buckets and assisting on several more to help the Panthers once again tie the game with under a minute to play in the 3
rd. A quick lay-up from a Griffins forward gave them the two point lead headed into the 4
th, but the Panthers were undaunted. From there, the two teams were neck and neck, with neither squad able to gain a clear advantage. Fontbonne had grown their lead to six with under four minutes to play, when a critical three pointer from Marquardt put the Panthers within three. As it would turn out, this was the closest Principia would get. Going to the foul game with under a minute to go, Principia was unable to regain the lead, and Fontbonne game away with the victory and season sweep with a score of 58-47.
Notable statistical contributions include Marquardt with 12 points, Hathaway with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Johnson who ended with a team high 17 points and 13 boards.
Rachel Perea also had a game high 14 rebounds.
The Panthers wrap up their season in Fulton, Mo this coming Saturday against SLIAC-leading Westminster College. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
